Audi USA announces the 2014 RS7 will start at $104,900 - Most powerful RS ever offered in the USA

Audi USA announces the 2014 RS7 will start at $104,900 - Most powerful RS ever offered in the USA

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Audi USA announces the 2014 RS7 will start at $104,900 - Most powerful RS ever offered in the USA

We do not get the RS6 in the United States but fortunately Audi does not completely ignore the North American market and the Audi RS7 will be offered for sale. How much? $104,900. Not cheap, but cheaper than the BMW M6 Gran Coupe which starts at $113,000. The Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG which just got a facelift does not have its MSRP announced yet in the USA but the outgoing model started at $95,900 and the facelift will no doubt increase on it especially the all wheel drive AMG S version.

So, the RS7's competition is all priced fairly close to it and what options one gets will have more impact no the price than anything else. This is the most powerful RS model ever offered in the United States and Audi claims 0-60 in 3.7 seconds. Full press release with video below.

Pricing for the all-new high-performance 2014 Audi RS 7 – the most powerful RS model ever offered in the U.S. – will begin at $104,900. The RS 7, the epitome of aesthetic design, innovative technology and track-tested performance, debuted at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and is expected to arrive in U.S. showrooms this fall.

The high-power Audi RS 7 adds to the expanding A7 model line, which is enhanced for the 2014 model year with the addition of the all-new fuel-efficient A7 TDI® clean diesel model, in addition to the A7 3.0T and S7 4.0T variants.
Performance
The Audi RS 7 is fitted with a twin-turbo 4.0 TFSI V8 engine, producing an astounding 560 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Launching from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, the RS 7 has a top track speed of 174 mph.

At low to medium loads and engine speeds – with its innovative cylinder on demand technology – the RS 7 deactivates cylinders 2, 3, 5 and 8 by closing their valves via electromechanical actuators. The 4.0 TFSI runs in four-cylinder mode, providing up to 15% better fuel efficiency, while the active engine mounts remove any changes in vibration between eight and four-cylinder modes. The active noise cancellation system is not needed on the RS 7 because of the low exhaust frequencies of the exhaust that are befitting of an RS model. For those that enjoy an even more performance-oriented exhaust tone, a sport exhaust is available with black finishers.

Mated to an eight-speed Tiptronic® automatic transmission, the RS 7 features the Audi quattro® all-wheel drive system with sport differential for superior grip and handling.

The RS 7 is fitted with a robust brake system employing internally ventilated and perforated discs in a weight-saving wave design; the front discs are 15.4 inches in diameter and the rear discs are 14 inches in diameter. The wave-shaped outer contour of the friction rings reduces unsprung mass by a total of about 6.61 lbs. The brake calipers are painted black and are also available in red.

Exterior
A series of design details give the RS 7 a dynamic edge to its flowing coupe design. Available in standard, matte aluminum or carbon styling, the RS 7 features distinctive bumpers, Audi Singleframe® grille in aluminum matte or high-gloss black, honeycomb grille inserts and heated, auto-dimming and power-folding exterior mirrors. The adaptive rear spoiler, lower rear diffuser and two large elliptical tailpipes of the exhaust system signify the performance that the RS 7 has to offer.

Technology and driver assistance
The Audi RS 7 starts with the Prestige equipment level, which offers a multitude of technologies including the groundbreaking Audi MMI® touch with handwriting recognition. With hard and soft keys, dedicated buttons for commonly-used controls and a revolutionary touchpad that interprets hand-written inputs, you can perform a number of functions, like write the digits of telephone number and the letters of the navigation destination with a finger, or scroll over maps, all without taking your eyes off the road.

The RS 7 is equipped standard with Audi side assist, which monitors the blind spot areas, as well as fast-approaching vehicles, at a range of approximately 150 ft. to the rear of the car.

The optional Night Vision Assistant can detect pedestrians approximately 300 ft. ahead of the vehicle; once a pedestrian is registered, the system highlights him/her in yellow. If the pedestrian moves into the anticipated path of the vehicle, he/she is highlighted in red and accompanied by an acoustic warning.

A cornerview camera is part of the Driver Assistance plus package, and the available adaptive cruise control and Audi pre sense plus enhances safety for drivers and their passengers.

Audi connect®
The 2014 Audi RS 7 is equipped standard with the award-winning infotainment system Audi connect®. Audi was the first global auto manufacturer to offer factory-fitted in-vehicle Wi-Fi connectivity for passenger use, enabling the Audi connect system to deliver connectivity to up to eight wireless devices. With Audi connect – offered complimentary for six months and available for as little as $15 per month thereafter – the onboard Audi MMI Navigation system is enhanced with Google Earth™ maps for a true aerial view of the route. Audi connect also features real-time localized weather, news and live fuel prices; Google Voice™ Local Search for detailed information about travel destinations, such as restaurant or hotel hours, pricing and customer reviews; and the myAudi Destination feature, which allows users to log on to Google Earth from virtually any location in the U.S. and download up to 50 destinations to the vehicle. Audi also offers real-time Sirius XM® Traffic information via enhancements to the Audi MMI Navigation plus system (active Sirius XM® Traffic subscription required).

The CLS is the least expensive because it's also the smallest, people underestimate the size of the M6 Gran Coupe but it means I can fit in the back comfortably, with room to spare. I'm 6'3" with long legs so that's no small feat, I can hardly get comfortable in the FRONT of the CLS (the cockpit seems to be a little narrow, I come close to hitting my head on the top of the door area).

Nothing against the CLS, I think it's truly gorgeous and a real rocketship but (comparing the 6 GC and CLS550 because those are the two I've driven) the BMW has WAY better steering and overall handling. The Benz's suspension feels really artificial and a little floaty.

The CLS is the least expensive because it's also the smallest, people underestimate the size of the M6 Gran Coupe but it means I can fit in the back comfortably, with room to spare. I'm 6'3" with long legs so that's no small feat, I can hardly get comfortable in the FRONT of the CLS (the cockpit seems to be a little narrow, I come close to hitting my head on the top of the door area).

Nothing against the CLS, I think it's truly gorgeous and a real rocketship but (comparing the 6 GC and CLS550 because those are the two I've driven) the BMW has WAY better steering and overall handling. The Benz's suspension feels really artificial and a little floaty.

I drove the CLS550 vs 640iGC at a BMW Drive Event. They had their entire line up and then the competitors car.

I had the complete opposite feeling. In fact it was the most let down I have been ever driving a new BMW product. That car is way over hyped. It just felt like a big boat and BMW trying way too hard to make a nice interior.

I drove the CLS550 vs 640iGC at a BMW Drive Event. They had their entire line up and then the competitors car.

I had the complete opposite feeling. In fact it was the most let down I have been ever driving a new BMW product. That car is way over hyped. It just felt like a big boat and BMW trying way too hard to make a nice interior.

I drove the 6GC and Panamera at the same BMW event, and I've test driven the current and previous gen CLS' at various Benz dealers. Maybe the new CLS I drove had some screwy tire pressures or something but it didn't really give you any sense of the road at all, it just floated across the surface like it wasn't even touching the ground which is exactly what you want in a Benz but it wasn't exactly sporty.

Here's one thing I know for sure, the 6GC's steering and handling were MILES ahead of the F10 5 series my mom used to have. That car's steering was so $#@!ty, she sold it after a year and a half and she came from driving a 2004 CLK!